This week it's VERSeFest, the outstanding Ottawa festival of words. Not in our nation's capital? There's more events in Toronto, St. John's, and Vancouver this week to check out.

Are you hosting an event featuring an author whose titles are available on All Lit Up? Send the event details, including author, book, date, time, and address to  hello@alllitup.ca to be included in our listings.

Monday, March 20th

Toronto

Common Readings Series

Where: The Bell Jar Cafe, 2072 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON

When: 8pm

More information: Adebe DeRango-Adem reads from Terra Incognita with other readers at Common Reading Series in Toronto.

Tuesday, March 21st

Toronto

Hot-Sauced Words

Where: Supermarket Restaurant & Bar, 268 Augusta Ave Toronto, ON

When: 7:30pm

More information: Brenda Clews (Tidal Fury) will be reading at the Hot-Sauced Words poetry event in Toronto.

Ottawa

VERSeFest Opening Showcase

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 7pm

More information:  Zachary Richard, Carolyn Smart, and Steven Collis read at the opening of this year's VERSeFest in Ottawa.

Wednesday, March 22nd

Montreal

Ilona Martonfi Author Reading: World Poetry Day

Where: Concordia University, H527 - 1455 De Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal, QC

When: 1:15pm

More information: Poet Ilona Martonfi reads from The Snow Kimono at a World Poetry Day event at Concordia University, Montreal.

Toronto

Pivot Reading Series

Where: The Steady, 1051 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON

When: 8pm

More information: Pivot’s last show before the rush of spring publishing brings four writers at different points along the journey. We have visiting Newfoundlander and past GG winner Robert Chafe, Kingston’s Ashley-Elizabeth Best and a duo of local Toronto writers in Shari Kasman and Gwen Benaway. Will be good; you will like. PWYC (Suggested: $5).

Link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1741001582788965/

Ottawa

Tree Reading Series @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 7pm

More information: bill bissett, Madhur Anand, and Christian Milat read in a Tree Reading Series presentation at VERSeFest.

VERSeFest Showcase

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 9pm

More information: VF showcase with Paisley Rekdal, Tereza Riedlbauchova, and Brandon Wint.

Thursday, March 23rd

Toronto

Knife Fork Book Readings

Where: Knife Fork Book at Rick's Cafe, 281 Augusta Avenue, Toronto, ON

When: 6:30pm

More information: Steve Meagher and Stuart Ross read at Knife Fork Book in Kensington Market.

Ottawa

Verse Voices @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 7pm

More information: Eva HD, Michel Côté, Michael Dennis, and Andre Narbonne are Verse Voices at this year's VERSeFest.

Blue Mondays and In/Words @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 9pm

More information: Kayla Czaga, Ali Blythe, Allesia de Cesare, and Dominique Langlois read at the VERSeFest Blue Mondays and In/Words event.

Friday, March 24th

Ottawa

Plan 99 @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 7pm

More information: Moez Surani, Greg Scofield, and Sharon McCartney read at the Plan 99 VERSeFest event.

Vancouver

Arts & Entertainment/ Books & Literature (and sport!)

Where: Hillcrest Community Centre Rink, 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver, BC

When: 9-11:15pm

More information: Come be a part of a collaborative, performative, and participatory skating event based on the book of poems about ice, serpentine loop by Elee Kraljii Gardiner (Anvil Press, 2016)

Featuring demonstrations by professional skaters Elin Schran and Douglas Webster and the Canadian debut of the short performance “serpentine loop” skated by Elin Schran. Free admission. Email for more information: info at anvilpress dot com.

Saturday, March 25th

Ottawa

Factory Reading Series @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 1pm

More information: Factory Reading Series presents lectures by Marilyn Irwin and Faizal Deen.

Translation Panel @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 3pm

More information: Translation Panel with Chus Pato, Patrick Friesen, Erin Mouré, Ulrikke Gernes, and Lisa Robertson.

Railroad Reading Series @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 7pm

More information:  Railroad Reading Series with Alan Gillis, Leanne O’Sullivan, and Jordan Abel.

Ottawa International Writers Showcase @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 9pm

More information: Ottawa International Writers Showcase with Ulrikke Gernes, Chus Pato, Erin Mouré, and Patrick Friesen.

St. John's

Moose's Roof Book Launch

Where: Chapters, 70 Kenmount Road, St. John's, NL

When: 1-3pm

More information: We will be launching Moose's Roof from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Chapters, 70 Kenmount Road. There will be special story time with Jennifer and treats for the kiddos. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Sunday, March 26th

Toronto

The Secret Handshake Poetry Reading

Where: 120 Baldwin Street Toronto, ON

When: 1:30pm

More information: Rocco de Giacomo will be performing a reading of Every Night of Our Lives at The Secret Handshake Poetry Reading in Toronto.

Ottawa

NCR Showcase @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 1pm

More information: NCR showcase with Mark Frutkin, Sandra Ridley, Guy Jean, and Angele Bassole OueDraogo.

Arc Poetry Magazine @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 3pm

More information: Arc Poetry Magazine at VERSeFest with Robyn Sarah, Jill Jorgenson, Phoebe Wang, and Lisa Robertson.

Sawdust Reading Series @ VERSeFest

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St, Ottawa, ON

When: 9pm

More information: Sawdust Reading Series with Steven Heighton and Louis Bertholom.

Discuss